He always did his best to fulfill his promises.
However, everything still required time.
Shi Ran was several months pregnant, and the longer it dragged on, the worse the consequences would be. Thus, Shi Ran didn't have much time left for Tang Si.
"Actually, I..." Shi Ran didn't struggle to break free from his hand but said calmly, "Have you ever considered that I don't want to marry you?"
The sudden question caught Tang Si off guard.
"Why?" he asked anxiously.
Shi Ran shook her head, "I just don't want to. I don't need a reason."
After leaving Lancheng and returning to Jiangnan these past two days, she had thought a lot. She still felt there were too many incompatibilities between her and Tang Si.
Sometimes, love didn't mean one could truly go to the end together.
Marriages without parental blessings had never ended well.
"Even if you don't say it, I know," Tang Si pulled Shi Ran into his arms, his fingers stroking her soft hair. "I know you feel you're not good enough for me because of the scar on your face. Ran Bao'er, I told you, you don't need to put too much pressure on yourself. I'll carry all the burdens for you. Trust me, okay?"
Tang Si's words were all from the bottom of his heart.
Shi Ran believed what he said, of course.
But ideals were plump, while reality was skinny.
"I'm hungry. Shall we go out to eat?" Shi Ran ultimately didn't want to continue this topic and could only find an excuse.
Tang Si knew she was deliberately avoiding it. His heart suddenly ached as if pricked by a sharp needle, making him flinch.
He didn't press further. Instead, he sat up from the bed. "While you were sleeping, I already asked the cook to prepare dinner. It's all heated up in the pot. It's perfect to go down and eat now."
"Really? That's great."
Shi Ran smiled and got up from the bed. Tang Si turned and sat beside her, cradling her feet. "I'll help you put on your shoes."
The weather was cold. Although the house was heated, Tang Si, considering Shi Ran's condition, prepared thick cotton shoes.
He was mindful that she was pregnant and it was difficult for her to bend down, so he took the initiative to help her with her shoes.
Shi Ran had wanted to refuse, but her body offered no resistance. Instead, she sat on the edge of the bed, quietly enjoying the man's thoughtful care.
"Thank you."
After he finished putting on her cotton shoes, she said.
Tang Si smiled tenderly, cupped the back of her head with his large hand, and pulled her closer. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "We don't need to be so formal between us."
He stood up, took her hand, and led her downstairs.
Upon reaching the dining room, Tang Si led Shi Ran to the dining table. "You sit, I'll bring the dishes." He moved a chair away, showing meticulous care.
At this moment, Tang Si's thoughts drifted afar, as if recalling how Qing Muyie used to treat Meng Jingwei so well.
Back then, he had teased Qing Muyie, wondering how he could willingly do so much for Meng Jingwei, even being somewhat subservient to her, to the point of abasing himself.
Now that he thought about it carefully, wasn't he the same?
Qing Muyie's answer to him at that time was: "This is the happiness I want."
Now, Tang Si deeply felt what Qing Muyie had felt then.
He got up and went to the kitchen, washed his hands, and brought the dishes and soup heated in the pot to the living room, also serving two bowls of rice.
"I asked the cook to make all your favorites. Try them quickly," Tang Si gestured to the abundant and exquisite dishes on the table.
Shi Ran looked at the ginseng chicken soup, crucian carp soup, beef brisket with tomatoes, mushroom soup, and shark fin soup. They were quite rich and smelled and looked delicious.
"Ugh~!"
Suddenly, she gagged and covered her mouth with her hand. "Excuse me, I need to go to the bathroom."
She quickly got up from her seat and hurried towards the bathroom, vomiting as she walked, feeling an overwhelming discomfort in her stomach.